Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green was ruled out of his first game of the season on Tuesday due to left calf tightness. Ahead of the contest, the four-time NBA champion voiced concern about his injury’s severity.
Green suited up in Golden State’s first 19 outings, providing solid two-way production. He is shooting a career-best 40.3% from 3-point range while serving as the heart and soul of the Warriors’ No. 5-ranked defense (107.7 defensive rating).
However, the veteran missed Monday’s practice due to left calf tightness. He was subsequently ruled out of Tuesday’s NBA Cup West Group C road matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
On Tuesday’s episode of “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis,” Green provided insight into his injury. According to the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, he aimed to be available as much as possible this season.
“My thing coming into this season (was) like, ‘If I’m healthy, I’m on the court,'” Green said. “Over the last few games, I’ve been a bit beat up but still feeling healthy enough to get out there on the floor and try to help my team.”
Afterward, Green noted that he learned enough from his past injuries to know he should take it easy with his calf ailment. He also articulated worry about his injury’s long-term ramifications.
“So, this time, some of the symptoms that I’ve felt, I’m able to better navigate and know like, ‘Alright, you felt this, you may need to slow down,'” Green said. “I’ll be 100% honest, I’m a little afraid.”
"I'll be 100% honest; I'm a little afraid"@Money23green gets honest with @barondavis about his calf injury and reveals why he's addressing it now instead of fighting through it pic.twitter.com/f9HfgbiyJ2
— The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis (@DraymondShow) December 3, 2024
Golden State started 12-7 with Green. However, the franchise went just 13-14 in his absence last season. So, the Warriors will likely need someone to step up defensively if he misses additional time.
Draymond Green “confident” in Warriors’ training staff’s ability to manage his left calf injury
After expressing concern about his left calf injury’s seriousness, Draymond Green underscored his confidence in Golden State’s training staff.
“But in saying that, I have confidence in our staff,” Green said. “I have confidence that I’m getting ahead of it right now because the smart thing to do is to catch it right now while I’m already getting these symptoms, and so, that’s kind of where I’m at with it.”
Per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the four-time All-Star will undergo an MRI and testing in the Bay Area on Wednesday.
Draymond Green will get an MRI and testing tomorrow back in the Bay Area, per Steve Kerr. Out tonight with left calf tightness.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 4, 2024
Thus, Warriors fans will likely anxiously await Green’s medical results to see how much longer he will be sidelined.
